Hello! My name is Heather Pastor, and I am the Director of the Primrose School of Florham Park. I have worked in childcare for almost 12 years and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Family Science and Human Development with a concentration in Family Services and a minor in Sociology.

I started working with children at the age of 15, and was drawn to their infectious energy and smiles. I have worked my way from daycare teacher, to teacher’s assistant, to opening my own pre-school classroom, to assistant director. I have worked with children from 6 weeks to 6th grade. I am now excited to be your director and use my knowledge and experience to help guide Primrose of Florham Park to be your child’s second home, where he/she can learn and grow.

Each day is a new adventure, and I am always learning something new from the students. I love watching the children have “ah ha” moments as they achieve something they never knew they could do on their own. They also always know how to make you smile and give the best hugs.

Ms. Gissela Portillo is our Assistant Director

She joins us with over 6 years of Early Childhood Education experience and has been working as a Preschool Lead Teacher, prior to joining our school.

Ms. Portillo currently holds a CDA and is also taking courses at Essex County College to acquire her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Ms. Portillo has always had a passion for teaching young children and loves encouraging them and watching them grow.

We are very excited to have Ms. Portillo as one of our Primrose Leadership Team!

Her goal is to grow with Primrose, and she is definitely succeeding!

We see a bright future for Ms. Portillo in our school and are so grateful to have her as part of our team!

Hello!

My name is Ms. Lauren Trinh. I’m very grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Florham Park for over 3 years. It is a joy to see the little ones grow and the laughter they bring each day to our school.

I graduated from Elizabeth High School & earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Each day, I enjoy learning at Primrose and helping my team and any of those who need me!

I am thrilled to be one of your administrative assistants.
With experience as a teacher assistant and a family worker, I understand the magic of child development and the power of parent partnership!
I’m especially inspired by how Primrose Florham Park nurtures life skills through music, reading, and healthy habits- it’s a joyful place to grow.
I look forward to supporting this school and seeing everyone shine!

Jordan Alexis Mills best known as Chef JAM, claimed her seat at the culinary table at a very young age. At 12, she incorporated her own baking business JAMcakes, catering to a variety of events large and small with uniquely designed cakes, cupcakes and push pops. Her entrepreneurial spirit was birthed in Brooklyn and developed in Inwood, New York. Her passion and love for cooking stemmed from the quality time spent in the kitchen with her father Ronald Mills Jr. The self-proclaimed family chef, taught Chef JAM the basic necessities of the kitchen and encouraged her curiosity when they prepped for and hosted traditional holiday and Sunday dinners together. It was because of those special moments she was inspired to attend her “dream school”, Johnson & Wales University. Chef JAM expanded her knowledge and training at the award winning, JWU in Providence, Rhode Island, where she obtained an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and Bachelor Degree in Food Service Management.

Hello!

I am Chef Eddy! I am so happy to be a part of the Primrose family! It brings me much joy to make delicious meals for all of our friends here.

I come to Primrose with over 30 years of experience working in different restaurants. Some of my favorite cuisines to make are Italian and BBQ. Cooking is my passion and I’m glad I can show everyone what my favorite thing to do is.

In my personal life, I have a wonderful wife, Betty, who I have been married to for 4 years. I also have an amazing 17 year old son, who is currently in high school. I strive to provide the best life for my family.

I hope that I can bring joy to all of our teachers and students with the meals we make each day!

Ms. Wislaine comes to us with housekeeping experience. She helps us keep our school clean and sanitized throughout the day and is always eager to help where needed!

Ms. Mary Basnayake is the Lead Infant I Teacher, at The Primrose School of Florham Park!

Ms. Basnayake has been teaching children of all ages for over 20 years. She moved to The United States from Sri Lanka, where she lead the Social Sciences department and taught grades 9-12. Since moving to the United States in 2008, Ms. Basnayake has worked at a Preschool as both a Teacher’s Assistant and Lead Teacher.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in the Arts and obtained an Early Childhood Education Degree from the College of Staten Island. What Ms. Basnayake enjoys most about working with children is watching them learn and grow. Children are full of positive energy and she truly loves being around them! Ms. Basnayake is so excited to see her students meet new milestones each day. She said, “Working in a field I truly love, allows me to be a better mother and wife to my family because working with children makes me happy!”

She is looking forward to continuing her journey with The Primrose School of Florham Park. Ms. Basnayake can’t wait to see her young students learn and grow with her help and assistance.

In her spare time, Ms. Basnayake likes to cook her family’s favorite dishes and decorate her home!

Hi, my name is Ms. Leigh, and I have been working in childcare for three years. I am currently attending Montclair State University, where I am studying psychology. I love traveling and spending time with my family and friends. I have a toy Yorkshire Terrier named Bentley, who is almost four years old. I’m so excited to be a part of the Primrose family!

My name is Lourdes Talavera. I am a wife and a mother of two. I enjoy spending time with my family, walking, and shopping. Originally from Honduras, I moved to the United States 28 years ago and am fluent in Spanish.

I have over 20 years of experience working with children and love watching them grow and learn each day. My background includes working as a private nanny and serving as a lead infant and toddler teacher at various daycare centers. Working with little ones is my favorite job, and I cherish the bonds I form with both the children and their families. I am so excited to join the Promise family!

I am passionate about working with infants and cherish being part of their first learning experiences. At Primrose of Florham Park, my mission is to create a warm and safe environment where every child feels comfortable and empowered to explore. I take pride in building strong relationships with parents, ensuring we work together seamlessly to support each child’s early learning journey.

Ms.Theresa Samuel is one of our Lead Young Toddler Teachers. She has earned her B.A. from the College of New Rochelle while working for the New York City Board of Education. She has over 10 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. Ms. Samuel has a passion for working with children and feels she could never have enough time with them. Ms. Samuel has completed the New Jersey First Steps statewide Infant/Toddler Initiative course.

Ms. Samuel is a loving wife and a mother to two teenage boys. She enjoys traveling to Santorini and Aruba. They are here favorite places! Ms.Samuel loves to read a good novel and also enjoys expanding her knowledge and education in the Early Childhood field.

She is excited to be apart of the Primrose family and looks forward to delivering the best and most trusted Early Childhood Education experience and child care services to all families.

Ms.Fennell is our newest Associate Young Toddler Teacher. She is currently planning to attend school to specialize in “Special Education” and has spent years volunteering at several childcare centers. Ms. Fennell is known as a inspiring mentor for here peers and is also known for being a nurturing childcare educator. She has spent the last year as a teacher for the United Neighbors Childcare Center and is so excited to start her new chapter at the Primrose School of Florham Park. Since joining the Primrose School of Florham Park family in August of this year, Ms.Fennell has developed wonderful relationships with the children and families in her care and has been a team player for our school. She is always willing to go the extra mile for her students, our families, and our staff. We are so lucky to have Ms. Fennell as one of our Primrose teachers!

Hi,
My name is Ms. Geovnany, but you can call me Ms. GiGi for short. I was born in the Dominican Republic and studied education in college. I have been working in daycare since 2008, and I truly love working with children. Seeing their lovely smiles and watching them reach their milestones brings me so much joy—it makes me feel proud and happy.

My name is Yolanda Norville. I am excited to work with our toddlers! I’ve been in this field of childcare with infants/toddlers for 21 years. My favorite thing to do is help the children grow and reach their milestones. I take such passion in their learning. I am warm-hearted, energetic and dedicated. Outside of work, I am a mother of five and a grandmother to four. I spend my time reading and bonding with my 8-year-old daughter.

“It takes a big hear to shape a little mind!”

Hi,

My name is Ms. Marina, my family consists of eight siblings, and I am the fourth child and the oldest daughter. Since I was little, I have always taken care of my younger siblings, which is where my love for children originates. I am a mother of two children, ages 25 and 12, both of whom have hyperactivity. I spend a lot of time with them and engage them in various daily activities. I am grateful to Primrose for allowing me to work in such a wonderful institution, where I can continue learning and sharing all my love.

Hello! My name is Narciza!

I come from Ecuador, where I studied law and worked in the judiciary profession with issues of childhood and adolescence, then for the last 10 years I worked in the judicial function of Azuay in the recreational court that was directed exclusively to deal with child abuse. This was a rewarding experience, since I was able to learn about and help in many cases of violence against children, as well as, in cases of alimony and everything related to it. I am a lawyer from the courts of Azuay, and while I am here, I plan to show as much love & protection to our children, as I did in my profession.

Hello, everyone! My name is Geovana Ramon.

I am delights to be a part of the Primrose School! I acquired my Associate Degree in Arts & Sciences at Pillar College & graduated Magna Cum Laude. Currently, I am continue my education in Elementary Education.

In my native country, Ecuador, I attended the University of Guayaquil, where I received my Bachelor’s degree is Elementary Pedagogy. I have taught children from Infancy to 10 years of age. Once I migrated to this country, I volunteered at a Preschool in Brooklyn, NY. Throughout my teaching career, I learned different teaching styles and how to implement them in the classroom.

I believe that education taught with love, patience and gracefulness is an essential tool in development. I am excited to learn from the Primrose community.

Hi everyone!

My name is Karla Cruz and I am so excited to be a part of the Primrose school! I was born in El Salvador, but I’ve been in the U.S.A. for 19 years now!

I’ve been working with kids my whole life which inspired me to pursue a career in education I earned my bachelor’s degree in education foundations from Montclair State University and hope to continue into my masters

I look forward to getting to know my primrose family and I hope to make a positive change here!

Hello everyone, my name is Eva Bueno,

I am from Ecuador. Throughout my professional life I have worked at the MIES (CNH), and at the Pichincha educational unit as a kindergarten assistant, with children of different ages. This has given me the opportunity to relate to and understand children, in different environments. Recognize moods and how they interact, when they are anywhere. All of this has helped me respect and help children in situations of conflict and personal relationships with others. It is vitally important that teachers be observant of the development of children, achieving reciprocal work with families and in the educational environment. I am very happy to be part of the Primrose family. To ensure that our students develop in a comprehensive way and according to their ages and specific needs.

Ms LaQuaglia is the Lead Preschool Pathways Teacher at the Primrose School of Florham Park. She is a graduate of Seton Hall University, and also holds her national Child Development Associate Certification. She has worked with children up to 5 years of age, including children with special needs. She has joined our school with over 22 years of experience working with children in same age group.

During her spare time she loves spending quality time with her family, creating home décor projects and reading. Her family loves sports particularly basket ball.

Ms. LaQuaglia had this to say about her experience with children, “I love the time I spend with my students. It is great to see them learning and mastering new skills each day, and guiding them as they grow to become independent is an incredibly satisfying experience for me.”

I am a college student pursuing a B.A. degree in education. I began working with children in 2013 by volunteering as a Sunday school teacher, which is how I discovered my love for children and my passion for teaching. Additionally, I serve as a youth leader at my church, where I mentor young people to inspire and encourage them to never give up, always have faith, and dream big.

Hello, my name is Samirah, often referred to as Sami. I am currently a teacher for Preschool Pathway 2. My role involves supporting and nurturing children’s early learning development in an environment that feels like a home away from home. I prioritize patience and gentleness in my teaching approach, which helps create a positive and enjoyable experience for the children I work with.

Ms. Phyllis Maglione is one of our School Support teachers, and loves helping wherever needed!

She has been caring for children from the Infant to Preschool Age Group for over 8 years.

Her teaching and experience with young children has been an asset to our school and beneficial to the children in her care.

Ms. Maglione brings her fun and loving personality to Primrose every day!

She enjoys spending time with all the children and it is apparent through the smile on her face, and theirs!

Ms. Rashonda Johnson is our Lead Early Preschool I Teacher, at the Primrose School of Florham Park. She has been working in the Early Childhood Education Field for over 10 years with children of all ages.

She loves being a part of a child’s learning process. She enjoys seeing them smile when they learn something new. Ms. Johnson thinks it is such a joy to be around children and enjoys knowing she is a part of their learning process. Ms.Johnson takes pride in her students accomplishments especially when they meet their many milestones and grow socially, academically, and emotionally.

We are so happy to have Ms. Johnson at The Primrose School of Florham Park! She is a great addition to our school!

Greetings Families! I’m Kadijah Julien, excited to join Primrose School of Florham Park. With several years in education as both a support and lead teacher, I understand classroom dynamics and how children learn. My childcare experience has deepened my commitment to creating a safe, engaging environment and building strong relationships with families. I hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which shapes my teaching philosophy. I’m eager to contribute to a team dedicated to excellence in early childhood education and create meaningful experiences that empower our students.

Hello Everyone,

For as long as I could remember I have dreamed of working with children and being a teacher. I began babysitting as a teenager and then became a nanny as I worked my way through college. As I continue to work on my undergraduate degree in early childhood education at Kean University, I am so exited to be a part of the Primrose team! Working with children, especially in a classroom setting, has always been my passion and goal. Everyday I look forward to working with families and children, not only to teach and watch them grow, but also to learn.

Hi, my name is Yaribel!

I am so glad to be working at the Primrose school of Florham park .

It gives me great pleasure to work with kids . I love seeing all the different personalities. I been working with kids over four years.

The joy I get when I walking the classroom and see their smiling faces warms my heart to what is in store next!

I am a mother of a wonderful boy and an aunt of two lovely princesses. I love being a mom and I enjoy spending time with my son and nieces.

My name is Lesly. I am a teacher trained at the Universidad Nacional de Educación (UNAE) in Ecuador,

where I specialized in teaching for education. I have always felt a deep calling for teaching, especially working with children,

as I firmly believe in the transformative power of education from the earliest stages of life.

I am delighted to be a part of the Primrose School of Florham Park, and I love assisting and helping the children.

Ms. Jennifer Joseph is our Lead Prekindergarten Teacher, at The Primrose School of Florham Park.

Ms. Joseph graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice along with a minor in Forensic Psychology.

Ms. Joseph has previously worked with children with disabilities, ranging from early childhood through middle school age. She loves working with children and teaching them because she truly believes they are the face and future of tomorrow. Ms. Joseph finds working with children to be a privilege, not a job.

She truly enjoys watching her young students learn and grow. She feels you must be dedicated, passionate, and patient to be a teacher of young children. Ms. Joseph enjoys being a teacher and role model to our students, at The Primrose School of Florham Park!

We are grateful to have her on our team!

Hello! My name is Ms. Angelica, but you can call me Ms. A. I am a co-teacher here at Primrose and have been working in childcare for five years. The reason I’ve stayed in this profession for so long is that I love being a part of children’s growth journeys. I enjoy seeing them develop and being a cornerstone in guiding them toward a bright future. I look forward to meeting all the new faces and experiencing new opportunities that will help me become a better teacher along the way!

Hello Everyone!

My name is Jennifer Lazon. I’m honored to be part of the Primrose team. I’ve been giving all my love for fifteen years to my wonderful son. I’ve always taken great joy in taking care of my nieces, nephews, and friend’s children as well. I enjoy playing games with them, laughing with them, and building memories with them. Children are the joy if the work and I will always do what I can to keep them safe!

My name is Robin Altenburg, and I live in Wayne with my daughter, Alexis; my son-in-law, Freddy; and their six-month-old son, Zayn, who is the love of my life. I also have a son named Alex, who lives in Hamoore, CA. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy and serves as an F-18 jet fighter pilot. I hold an Early Childhood degree and have been teaching for 13 years. My most recent teaching position was at the Naval Academy Primary School in Annapolis, Maryland. Teaching is my passion, and I am thrilled to be part of the Primrose Team.

Ms. Lauria is our experienced Associate Kindergarten Teacher, at the Primrose School of Florham Park. Ms. Lauria has been teaching children of this age group for over 30 years and loves to be a part of the children’s early learning experiences.

Ms. Lauria joins us with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from William Paterson University. Ms. Lauria is excited to share her knowledge, experience, and love for learning with her new students and is happy to be a new member of the Primrose School of Florham Park Family.

Ms. Lauria enjoys catching up on her reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.

Hi, my name is Ashley Gomez!

I am a Psychology major at saint Elizabeth University. I have 9 years of experience in the childcare field. After college I want to pursue a Doctorate degree in Psychology & work with children. My favorite activity is drawing, painting and reading. As a child my favorite books were the Junie B. Jones series and the Magic Tree House series. During my free time I like to play the guitar, sing & dance. I also like to cook with my friends & family. I’m very excited to be part of the Primrose team & excited to work with the students and learn all about them. I believe that its important to build a child’s trust & make sure they are confident in themselves along the way!

My name is Paige Beatty, and I am one of the floater teachers at Primrose School of Florham Park. I grew up in Maplewood and recently moved to Florham Park. I graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, which has given me valuable insight into child behavior and development.

I have worked as a summer camp counselor for three summers, supporting various age groups and helping create a safe, welcoming environment where every child can feel comfortable and be themselves.

I am very excited for this new chapter at the Primrose School of Florham Park and look forward to supporting our students and families!

My name is Danielle, and I am pleased to join the team at Primrose. I have a passion for working with children, having enjoyed caring for my younger cousins and neighbors throughout my life. I am committed to understanding the unique needs of each child and ensuring they experience a nurturing and joyful environment. Witnessing the positive impact I can have on a child’s life, no matter how small, is profoundly rewarding to me.

In my leisure time, I appreciate spending time outdoors, hiking, capturing the beauty of nature through photography, and engaging in various art and craft projects. I look forward to contributing to the well-being and happiness of the children at Primrose.

Hi, my name is Amalie, and I’m excited to be a part of the Primrose team! I have a background in psychology and enjoy supporting children’s social, emotional, and early learning development. I strongly believe in meeting each child where they are and supporting their growth through patience and positive reinforcement. Building relationships with both children and families is very important to me. I am grateful to be part of your child’s learning experience and look forward to helping them reach new milestones.

Hi, I’m Ms. Diamond & I am a Preschool Pathways Associate Teacher. I graduated from West Side High School in Newark, NJ. I have always loved caring for children! I have three younger siblings that I love to hang out with and take care of from time to time. I love watching my students grow and being a part of their growth. I am so happy to be part of the Primrose family!